"The UNRELIABLE WITNESS: Are you a "VOLUNTEER" or a "SERVANT?"

"The New  Face of Prison Ministry"

The more progressive and proactive Prison Ministries have taken a more aggressive and results oriented approach to engagement and empowerment of the inmates.

The new face of prison ministry has a "new smell" to it. It is the smell of "burning flesh" (a biblical reference to a "sacrifice" that is appealing to God) and the ‘trail of smoke’ flowing from the life of the servant (or, in this case, the volunteer) should be evident to everyone involved.

As I have stated before, when the Lord God first visited me with the word that Mandate Ministries would become a vessel for Him in prison ministry, I was excited! The Spirit was quick to both remind me and admonish me that doing this was "going to cost me something personally

So we can conclude that the new face of prison ministry must be directed from the Spirit of God, it must involve a significant sacrifice from the individual(s), it most definitely must cost you something and it must be directed toward achieving a significant change in the lives of both the servant and the inmates.

"Prison Outreach in Real Time"

There are "diverse spirits" within the walls of any prison; no matter what the security clearance level might be. These spirits emanate from both the guards and inmates. Not everyone is happy that we are there doing what we do; this includes both guards and inmates. The spirits of resentment, apathy, perversion and judgment are evident. But I also witness the spirits of peace, love, grace, thanksgiving and redemption on a consistent basis as well. It all depends upon what spirits you want to submit to and serve.

The simple question on the floor is, "Are you a VOLUNTEER or a SERVANT?"

The "volunteer" is in peril if he is not careful. He is in peril because he is not protected by the Spirit of God. The volunteer has no investment in the lives of the men he has been called to serve. He is casual and superficial and is only in it for the short term. This might be hard to hear, but the volunteer cannot be trusted. The volunteer will implement a "program" that is a "one shot deal" with few redeeming qualities. Are you an "unreliable witness?"

The "servant" however, has a different agenda entirely. The servant is committed to the long term advancement and benefit of the inmates he has been called to serve. Servants have no regard for "recognition" or fame. Their total focus is centered on being "change agents" for God inside the prison walls. The servant will implement a "curriculum" with long term benefits and measurable outcomes. The servant is accustomed to adversity and can handle radical changes in the environment. Over time, he will be appreciated, respected and even loved.

This is the promise we have received from servitude. Being a servant is a spirit that reproduces itself in real time…